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Official form guide
Form I-589: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
Form I-589 is the Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. It is used by individuals already in the United States who fear persecution or torture if returned to their home country.
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USCIS Form I-589 - Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
Form I-589 is the Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. It is used by individuals already in the United States who fear persecution or torture if returned to their home country.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1A single missing signature can invalidate the entire asylum request.
- 2Missing the one‑year filing deadline
- 3Leaving a required signature blank
- 4Submitting incomplete or illegible supporting documents
- 5Failing to include all eligible family members
Plain English
If you’re in the U.S. and think you’ll be harmed back home, you fill out this paper to ask the government for protection. It asks about your personal story, the danger you face, and any family members who need the same help.
Submission Date
- Filing date: File within one year of your last arrival in the U.S., unless you qualify for an exception to the one‑year filing deadline.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- Use when you seek asylum or withholding of removal while physically present in the U.S.
- Do not use if you are applying for refugee status from abroad (use Form I‑590).
- Check Form I‑730 if you need to bring derivative family members after approval.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
You are outside the U.S. and need protection
Only for overseas applicants
✓ Verify location before filing
You have already been granted asylum and need to bring a spouse
Different purpose
✓ Confirm prior asylum approval
You are applying for a U non‑immigrant visa for humanitarian reasons
Not an asylum claim
✓ Use only after asylum is granted
Deadline or filing window
Asylum must be filed within one year of your last arrival in the United States, unless you can demonstrate changed circumstances or extraordinary circumstances that justify a late filing. If you miss the deadline, USCIS may still consider your case, but the burden of proof is higher.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Personal statement
Detailed narrative of persecution · Your own written account
Country condition reports
Recent Human Rights Reports · Government or NGO publications
Identity documents
Passport, birth certificate · Originals or certified copies
Medical or police records
Hospital reports, police reports · Official records from home country
Family relationship proof
Marriage certificate, birth certificates of children · Certified copies
Before you submit
- 1Use the latest edition of Form I‑589
- 2All required signatures are present
- 3One‑year filing deadline met or documented exception attached
- 4All supporting evidence is labeled and referenced in the table of contents
- 5Copies are clear, legible, and include English translations where needed
- 6No fee payment included (USCIS will reject if a fee is attached)
- 7Mail to the correct Lockbox address with proper postage
- 8Retain a complete copy of the packet for your records
How to file this form
- 1Download the current I‑589 PDF and its instructions from USCIS.gov
- 2Create a checklist of required evidence based on the instructions
- 3Complete the form in black ink or electronically, double‑checking each field
- 4Assemble evidence in the order listed in the instructions and add a table of contents
- 5Make two complete copies of the entire packet for your records
- 6Mail the original packet to the USCIS Lockbox address, using a trackable service
- 7If you have a USCIS online account, upload the PDF and supporting files following the portal prompts
Known limitations
- 1USCIS does not publish a detailed validation checklist for I‑589; guidance is based on instructions and policy memos
- 2Electronic filing is optional and may not be available for all applicants
- 3Country condition evidence is subjective; USCIS may request additional proof
- 4The form does not include a fee field, but accidental fee inclusion can cause rejection
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Applicant Info
3 items
Your current legal name as in your passport.
Complete date (MM/DD/YYYY) and city/country of birth.
Country where you hold citizenship.
Basis
2 items
Detailed description of the harm, persecution, or disaster you are fleeing.
Date you last entered the United States (MM/DD/YYYY).
Evidence
1 items
List all documents supporting your application, including affidavits, country condition reports, and identification.
Signatures
1 items
Sign under penalty of perjury.
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Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form I‑589 is currently active; the latest edition was released in August 2023. No filing fee is required.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date: Verify the form shows August 2023 or later
- Fee: No filing fee for I‑589
- Mailing address: Use the address in the current instructions for the appropriate USCIS Lockbox
- Signature block: Ensure you sign in black ink and date the form
- Page count: Include all required pages; the form has 20+ pages
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Keep the receipt notice (Form I‑797C) and record the case number
- 2Track case status online using the receipt number
- 3Prepare for the biometrics appointment if USCIS issues a notice
- 4Gather any additional evidence in case a Request for Evidence (RFE) is issued
- 5Attend the asylum interview or immigration court hearing on the scheduled date
- 6Maintain copies of all correspondence and evidence for future appeals
Sources
- SRCUSCIS Form I‑589 PDF (official USCIS website)
- SRCUSCIS I‑589 Instructions (PDF)
- SRCUSCIS Policy ManualAsylum (section on filing deadline)
- SRCUSCIS Lockbox mailing addresses (2023 edition)
- SRCUSCIS fee scheduleconfirms no fee for I‑589
- SRCUSCIS online filing guidance for I‑589 (if available)
- SRCNot found in provided source: exact electronic filing availability date
Common confusion points
One‑year deadline
Many think it starts at entry, but it starts at last arrival
→ Verify exact arrival date
Derivative family eligibility
Some think spouses can be added later
→ Include all eligible relatives now or file separate I‑730 later
Withholding vs. asylum
Terms are often mixed up
→ Clearly indicate which relief you seek in Part A
Fee requirement
Some forms require a fee, I‑589 does not
→ Do not attach any payment
Electronic vs. paper filing
Not all applicants have access to the online portal
→ Choose the method you can complete reliably
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form I‑290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) – to appeal a denial
Source transparency
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